How to Fix Ethernet Not Working on Windows 11

When Ethernet stops working on Windows 11, the problem is not always the internet connection itself. Your computer might fail to detect the Ethernet adapter, show a connected status without internet access, or refuse to establish a wired connection even when the cable is plugged in.

These symptoms can look similar, but they do not always have the same cause. Replacing the cable will not fix a disabled network adapter, and changing DNS settings will not help if Windows cannot detect a physical Ethernet connection.

The best approach is to identify what Windows is reporting and choose the appropriate fix.

In this guide, you will learn how to troubleshoot Ethernet not working on Windows 11, check your cable and router, repair common adapter and driver problems, and determine when the issue may require hardware support.

Identify the Ethernet Problem
Check the Ethernet Cable and Router
Restart Your Computer and Network Equipment
Check Whether Ethernet Is Disabled
Check If Windows Detects the Ethernet Adapter
Update or Reinstall the Ethernet Driver
Run the Network Troubleshooter
Check IP Address and Network Configuration
Reset Winsock and TCP/IP
Fix Ethernet Connected but No Internet
Disable and Re-enable the Ethernet Adapter
Check Power Management Settings
Troubleshoot USB Ethernet Adapters
Reset Windows Network Settings
Determine Whether the Ethernet Hardware Has Failed
Frequently Asked Questions

1. Identify the Ethernet Problem

Before changing any settings, check what happens when you connect your Ethernet cable.

Open Settings > Network & internet and inspect the available network connections. You can also press Windows + R, enter ncpa.cpl, and press Enter to open the Network Connections window.

Look for the Ethernet connection and identify which description best matches your situation.

Ethernet says “Network cable unplugged”: Windows cannot detect an active physical Ethernet link. Check the cable, router port, adapter, and related drivers.
Ethernet is disabled: Enable the adapter in Network Connections.
Ethernet is connected but has no internet: Investigate the router, IP address, DNS settings, or internet service.
Ethernet is missing from Windows: Check Device Manager to determine whether the adapter is detected.
Ethernet connects and disconnects repeatedly: Test the cable and port, then investigate drivers and power management.

This first check matters because each symptom points toward a different set of possible causes. Work through the relevant steps below rather than applying every fix without knowing what is wrong.

2. Check the Ethernet Cable and Router

A loose or damaged cable can prevent your computer from establishing a reliable wired connection.

Even if the cable looks normal, its internal wires or connector may be damaged.

Follow these steps:

Disconnect the Ethernet cable from your computer.
Reconnect it firmly until the connector clicks into place.
Check the other end connected to the router, modem, or network switch.
Make sure the network equipment is powered on.
Try another available LAN port on the router.
If possible, test with a different Ethernet cable that you know works.

Check the cable for crushed sections, sharp bends, damaged connectors, or a broken locking tab.

If a replacement cable solves the problem, the original cable was likely responsible.

If the connection still fails, test another router port before assuming the network adapter is broken. A defective port can prevent a computer from connecting even when the cable itself is working.

Important: If Windows reports “Network cable unplugged,” focus on the physical connection first. IP-address and DNS troubleshooting generally will not fix a link that Windows cannot detect.

3. Restart Your Computer and Network Equipment

Temporary problems with Windows, a router, or a network switch can sometimes prevent Ethernet from working correctly.

Restarting these devices is a simple way to rule out a temporary issue.

Restart Windows 11

Save your work.
Open the Start menu.
Select the Power icon.
Choose Restart.
After Windows loads, check the Ethernet connection again.

Restart your router

If restarting the computer does not help, restart your router or modem if you have permission to do so.

Follow the equipment manufacturer’s recommended restart procedure.
Allow the device to shut down and start again.
Wait until the network equipment finishes initializing.
Recheck the Ethernet connection.

If your setup uses a separate modem and router, allow the modem to reconnect before testing internet access.

A restart may resolve a temporary device problem, but it will not repair a damaged cable or failed network port. If Ethernet remains unavailable, continue troubleshooting.

4. Check Whether Ethernet Is Disabled

Sometimes the Ethernet adapter is present and functioning, but Windows has disabled it.

This can happen after changing network settings or troubleshooting another connectivity issue.

To enable it:

Press Windows + R.
Type ncpa.cpl.
Press Enter.
Find the connection named Ethernet.
If its status is Disabled, right-click it.
Select Enable.
Wait a few seconds and check the connection.

If Ethernet is already enabled, do not disable other network connections unnecessarily. Move to the next step.

You can also open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your Ethernet adapter, and check whether an Enable device option is available.

If enabling the adapter restores the connection, open a website to confirm that internet access works. If it remains connected without internet, you may need to troubleshoot the network configuration separately.

5. Check If Windows Detects the Ethernet Adapter

If Ethernet does not appear in Network Connections, check whether Windows recognizes the network hardware.

Right-click the Start button.
Select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Look for an Ethernet controller or wired network adapter.

Depending on your hardware, the adapter name may include Intel, Realtek, Broadcom, or another manufacturer.

Look for these signs:

A warning symbol beside the adapter.
An adapter that appears disabled.
An unknown device that might be the Ethernet controller.
No visible Ethernet adapter at all.

If the adapter is disabled, right-click it and choose Enable device, if that option is available.

If a warning symbol appears, open the device’s Properties and check the Device status message. It may provide a useful error code or indicate that the driver or device has a problem.

You can also use Device Manager’s Action > Scan for hardware changes option to ask Windows to detect available hardware again.

If the adapter is still missing, check the computer manufacturer’s official support guidance. The adapter may require a driver, may not be detected correctly, or may have a hardware problem.

6. Update or Reinstall the Ethernet Driver

Windows uses a driver to communicate with your Ethernet adapter. If that driver is outdated, corrupted, or incompatible with your current Windows installation, the adapter may stop working properly.

This is especially worth investigating if Ethernet stopped working after a Windows update, driver update, or hardware change.

Update the driver

Open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click your Ethernet adapter.
Select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers.
Follow the instructions displayed by Windows.

If Windows does not find a suitable driver, visit the official support website for your computer or motherboard manufacturer.

Search for your exact model and download the compatible Ethernet or LAN driver for Windows 11.

If Ethernet is your only internet connection, download the driver using another device and transfer it to your computer with a USB drive.

Avoid downloading drivers from unfamiliar websites or using random driver-update utilities.

Reinstall the driver

If the driver appears corrupted, reinstalling it may help.

Before uninstalling anything, download the correct replacement driver if possible.

Then:

Open Device Manager.
Right-click the Ethernet adapter.
Select Uninstall device.
Follow the prompts carefully.
Restart Windows or reinstall the downloaded driver according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Be cautious about selecting an option that removes the driver package completely. You should have a compatible replacement available first.

Roll back a recent driver update

If Ethernet stopped working immediately after a driver update, the previous version may be more compatible.

Open the adapter’s Properties in Device Manager, select the Driver tab, and choose Roll Back Driver if the option is available.

Restart the computer and test Ethernet again.

7. Run the Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes troubleshooting tools that can identify some network configuration and connectivity problems.

To access the available options:

Open Settings.
Select System.
Choose Troubleshoot.
Open Other troubleshooters.
Run the relevant network troubleshooter if one is available.

You can also review Settings > Network & internet for connection status and troubleshooting options.

The tools available may differ depending on your Windows version.

If Windows identifies a problem, follow the suggested steps and test the connection afterward.

If the troubleshooter reports that the Ethernet cable is disconnected, return to the physical checks. A Windows troubleshooter cannot repair a broken cable or damaged port.

8. Check IP Address and Network Configuration

If Windows detects Ethernet and shows an active connection, but websites do not load, check the IP configuration.

Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter. In Command Prompt, run:

ipconfig

Find the section corresponding to your Ethernet adapter.

Look for the IPv4 address and default gateway.

A typical home network uses a private IPv4 address, such as one beginning with 192.168.x.x or 10.x.x.x, although other private address ranges are also common.

If the address begins with 169.254, Windows may have assigned itself an automatic private address because it could not obtain an IPv4 address from a DHCP server.

This can indicate a problem communicating with the router, a DHCP configuration issue, or another network problem. It does not prove that the Ethernet adapter is defective.

If the connection is supposed to obtain its address automatically, you can try renewing its lease.

Open Command Prompt and run:

ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

If the connection has a manually configured static IP address, do not change it without knowing the correct network settings. On a workplace network, ask your IT team before modifying the configuration.

If ipconfig reports that the media is disconnected, return to the cable and adapter checks instead of repeatedly renewing the IP address.

9. Reset Winsock and TCP/IP

Windows networking can occasionally develop configuration problems that prevent a connection from working normally.

If Ethernet is detected but network access remains broken, resetting Winsock and TCP/IP may help.

First, save your work. Then open Terminal (Admin) or Command Prompt as administrator.

Run the following commands separately:

netsh winsock reset

Then run:

netsh int ip reset

Restart your computer after running the commands.

These commands reset parts of the Windows networking configuration. They may help with certain software-related network problems, but they are not a universal fix.

If your computer uses a static IP address or specialized workplace networking settings, check with your IT team before resetting network configuration.

Do not expect these commands to fix a physically disconnected Ethernet link. If Windows cannot detect the cable, investigate the hardware connection first.

10. Fix Ethernet Connected but No Internet

If Windows says Ethernet is connected but you cannot access websites, the problem may be different from an Ethernet adapter failure.

Try these checks in order.

Test another website

Open a few unrelated websites. If only one website fails, the problem may be specific to that site rather than your connection.

Check other devices

Connect another device to the same router. If all devices lose internet access, investigate the router, modem, and internet service.

If only your computer has the problem, continue with its network settings.

Restart the router

A router may maintain a local connection while its internet connection is unavailable. Restarting it according to the manufacturer’s instructions may help.

Check DNS settings

If your computer can reach some network resources but cannot resolve website names, DNS may be involved.

You can clear the local DNS cache by opening Command Prompt and running:

ipconfig /flushdns

This clears cached DNS records. It does not repair a faulty cable, and it will not solve every internet connection problem.

For more detailed troubleshooting, see your related Hammrly guide on fixing Ethernet connected but no internet on Windows 11.

11. Disable and Re-enable the Ethernet Adapter

If Windows detects the adapter but it does not function correctly, restarting the adapter can sometimes restore normal operation.

Press Windows + R.
Enter ncpa.cpl.
Press Enter.
Right-click Ethernet.
Choose Disable.
Wait around 10 seconds.
Right-click it again.
Choose Enable.

Allow Windows to reconnect.

If the adapter starts working but the problem returns later, investigate the driver, cable, port, and power settings rather than repeatedly relying on this workaround.

12. Check Power Management Settings

If Ethernet stops working after sleep, hibernation, or extended inactivity, check the adapter’s power-management settings.

Open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click the Ethernet adapter.
Select Properties.
Open the Power Management tab if it is available.
Review the option that allows Windows to turn off the device to save power.

As a test, clear that option and select OK.

Restart the computer or test the connection after waking it from sleep.

The option is not available for every adapter. Changing power settings may also affect energy use, so focus on this step when the symptoms suggest a power-management problem.

13. Troubleshoot USB Ethernet Adapters

If you use a USB-to-Ethernet adapter, USB-C hub, or docking station, the external hardware may be preventing Ethernet from working.

Try these steps:

Disconnect the adapter or dock.
Reconnect it securely.
Try another compatible USB port.
Connect the Ethernet cable directly to the adapter, avoiding unnecessary hubs.
Test another Ethernet cable and router port.
Check Device Manager to see whether Windows recognizes the adapter.
Install compatible drivers or firmware from the manufacturer’s official website if needed.

For a powered docking station, check its power supply and the connection to the computer.

If possible, test the adapter on another compatible computer. If it fails there too, the adapter or its cable may be faulty.

If the Ethernet adapter is built into your computer, this section does not apply. Focus on the built-in network interface and its driver.

14. Reset Windows Network Settings

If the physical connection works but Windows networking remains unreliable, a network reset is another option.

Before proceeding, remember that it may remove and reinstall network adapters and reset certain network settings. VPN software, virtual adapters, and custom configurations may require additional setup afterward.

To reset the network:

Open Settings.
Select Network & internet.
Choose Advanced network settings.
Select Network reset.
Click Reset now.
Confirm the action and restart Windows if prompted.

After the computer restarts, test Ethernet again.

A network reset should come after the basic cable, port, adapter, and driver checks. It cannot fix a physically damaged network interface.

15. Determine Whether the Ethernet Hardware Has Failed

If none of the previous fixes works, check whether the problem follows the computer or the network equipment.

Use a known-working Ethernet cable and test another router or switch port. If possible, connect another computer to the same cable and port.

Consider the results:

If another computer works but yours does not, investigate your computer’s adapter, driver, and configuration.
If your computer fails with multiple known-working cables and ports, its Ethernet hardware may need inspection.
If multiple devices fail through the same port, investigate that port or its configuration.
If Ethernet works through a compatible USB adapter but not the built-in port, the built-in interface may be faulty.

If the Ethernet adapter is missing from Device Manager even after checking the manufacturer’s recommended driver and scanning for hardware changes, professional support may be necessary.

A technician can test the network interface and determine whether repair or replacement is required. For some computers, a compatible USB Ethernet adapter may provide a practical alternative to repairing a built-in port.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Ethernet not working on Windows 11?

Common causes include a loose or damaged cable, a disabled adapter, a faulty router port, an incompatible driver, or incorrect network settings. Start by checking the cable and adapter status, then troubleshoot the driver and network configuration based on the message Windows displays.

Why is my Ethernet adapter missing from Windows 11?

Windows may not be detecting the hardware, the device may be disabled, or a driver may be missing or malfunctioning. Check Device Manager, scan for hardware changes, and consult the official support website for your computer or motherboard.

Can Windows Update break Ethernet?

A driver or system update can sometimes introduce compatibility problems. If Ethernet stopped working immediately after an update, check for a newer compatible driver or use the Roll Back Driver option if it is available.

Will resetting network settings fix Ethernet?

It can help with certain Windows network configuration problems, but it cannot repair damaged cables, faulty router ports, or defective network hardware. Try the physical and adapter checks first.

Why does Ethernet say connected but have no internet?

The computer may have an active local connection while the router’s internet connection, IP configuration, DNS resolution, or internet service is failing. Check other devices, inspect the IP configuration, and troubleshoot the router before assuming the Ethernet adapter is broken.

Is my Ethernet port broken?

Not necessarily. Test a known-working cable and another working router port first. If your computer still cannot establish a connection while another device works normally, the adapter or its driver may be responsible. Further hardware testing can confirm whether the port has failed.

Conclusion

When Ethernet is not working on Windows 11, the most effective fix depends on the exact symptom. A missing adapter requires different troubleshooting from a connection that is active but cannot access the internet.

Start by checking the Ethernet cable, router port, and adapter status. Then inspect Device Manager, update or roll back the driver when appropriate, and review the network configuration if Windows detects a working link.

Save network resets and advanced changes for later, and avoid changing several settings at once. Testing one cause at a time makes it easier to identify the problem and reduces the risk of creating additional network issues.

If the computer cannot establish a connection through multiple known-working cables and ports, investigate the Ethernet hardware or seek technical support.

Byadmin

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